Phonological sketch and classification of Lawu, an undocumented Ngwi language of Yunnan

Abstract

Lawu is a severely endangered, undocumented Ngwi (Loloish) language spoken in Yunnan, China. This paper presents a preliminary sketch of Lawu phonology based on lexico-phonetic data recorded from two speakers in 2008, with special attention to the tone splits and mergers that distinguish Lawu from other Ngwi languages. All tone categories except Proto-Ngwi Tone *3, a mid level pitch, have split, conditioned by the voicing of the initial segment. In the conditioning and effect of these tone splits, Lawu shows affinity with other Central Ngwi languages such as Lisu and Lahu and is provisionally classified as a Central Ngwi language.

Magɨ: An Undocumented Language of Papua New Guinea

“…Consequently, different treatments of the language-or-dialect question have emphasized various data points to differing degrees. Some stress language attitudes (Groves 2010), others the existence of a relevant polity and literary tradition (Owens 2010), others the role of the speech variety in the broader language ecology (Winsa 2000), and yet others its linguistic features (Yang 2012).…”